New Year, New Word
These past couple of years I have enjoyed picking a “Word” for that year. This word can be an invitation of how you would like your year to go, and in my experience, my yearly word has made a difference in shaping my choices and …
Author: Anna
Holiday Family Traditions
Something that sparks my interest, is how we as people implement cultural traditions to honor the seasons. What do we choose to do each season – even when we are busy or don’t feel inspired to do so? What traditions remain and why? Those are …
Paying Soft Attention
In Forest Bathing, by Dr. Qing Li, he discusses two ways that we pay attention. The first is voluntary, which we use when we are doing things requiring concentration like writing and email or driving a car. He explains the other way we pay attention, “The …
Mind Your Own Beeswax Candles
As our days grow shorter, we are made aware of how valuable light is in our lives. It is precious, and whether you take time to bask in the sun pouring through the window, surround yourself with twinkly lights, or gaze at the moonlight reflecting …
Ice Storms
I made this illustration for the Winter Issue of Woolgathering, my quarterly magazine about the seasons. I wrote a poem about the ferocity of an ice storm that came through our woods knocking everything in its path like a giant stomping and sideswiping. I started …
Forest Bathing Connects Us to the Universe
“Several studies have shown that, when we connect with nature, we are reminded that we are part of something larger than ourselves. Faced with the awesome vastness of the universe, we can feel flooded with gratitude. We become less selfish and start to think about …
Winter Wreath Tutorial
Even though they are designed to sustain the weight of Winter, snowstorms can bring down evergreen branches and twigs. I like to collect the fallen pieces to make arrangements for decorating the winter season. You can make swags, indoor vase arrangements, or even wreaths. The …
Sandhill Cranes
This image is from the recent Winter Issue of Woolgathering! I wrote about what it’s like to experience a rush of sandhill cranes fly overhead. It’s exhilarating! If you are looking to renew your Woolgathering subscription or sign up for the first time, please be aware that there …
November Almanac Sketch
The first half of November was so cold and wintery that I think it launched the animals into a “winter is coming” frenzy. Have a delicious December!
Spring Bird’s Cottage
This is a drawing of Spring Bird’s Cottage. Here are my favorite things that happen in this place: Watching birds Making art Napping Reading Meditating Singing Staring at the trees Gathering in a community Eating Learning Questioning and Listening I invite you to learn more …
What’s That Forrestrial Scent? Phytoncides
When we walk in the woods, we breathe in the most magnificent scents from the trees. These scents include the very important phytoncides. In his book, “Forest Bathing”, Dr. Qing Li writes, “As well as having a higher concentration of oxygen, the air in the forest is …
Spinning for Gratitude Workshop Review
Two Saturdays ago, textile artist Pamela Penney, taught a spinning workshop at Spring Bird’s Cottage. It was such a lovely day, and I feel so fortunate that I was able to participate! We began by discarding our anxieties and worries in order to connect to …
Great Oak is Here!
I’ve been sharing that I was working on a nature and art activity book that is my love letter to oak trees. It’s called Great Oak, and it’s here! I am so proud of this book. I am proud that I put all of the pieces together, …
Forest Bathing is Healthy
Forest Bathing can be really good for your health! According to Dr. Qing Li’s book “Forest Bathing“, forest bathing can: lower blood pressure alleviate stress improve the health of your heart and metabolism decrease blood sugar levels boost concentration and memory help with depression increase energy …